For those who like unusual (and recycled) building projects

A man in Huntsville, Texas builds houses (conforming to local building code) from durable but nonstandard materials, as described in this article in the New York Times.    He's also started a recycling facility where other builders can drop off materials (odd ends of lumber, a few extra bricks, etc.) instead of taking them to a landfill.  

I was particularly taken with the ceiling made of recycled samples from a framing shop.